‘Local businesses are on their knees’ in Tier 3

COUNCIL leaders from across Staffordshire have called on Boris Johnson to ease local Covid-19 restrictions – to help the county’s beleaguered hospitality sector.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council leader Sybil Ralphs joined Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White and the head of the county’s other district and borough councils, in writing to the Prime Minister requesting that the county is moved from tier three to tier two when the government reviews the current restrictions on December 16.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent were among the areas of England which were placed in tier three when the second national lockdown ended last week.

The restrictions mean pubs, cafes and restaurants can only operate takeaway or delivery services, while indoor tourist attractions must stay closed.

Under tier two, these businesses are able to open to the public, although various restrictions still apply.

In their letter, the council leaders say the area’s falling Covid infections rates mean the current tier three restrictions are ‘unwarranted’, with many local businesses being left ‘on their knees’.

The tourism and hospitality sectors employ more than 33,000 people in Staffordshire, and contribute £1.85billion to the county’s economy. According to the letter, businesses will be able to keep customers safe while helping the local economy recover from the pandemic.

The letter states: “Infection rates are falling rapidly across Staffordshire as local authorities work with public and community leaders to defeat this terrible disease.

“Yet sections of our economy and many local businesses are on their knees. Any prolonged stay in Tier 3 restrictions will damage the economy, lives and livelihoods further. We firmly believe that the impact on our hospitality and tourism businesses is also unwarranted.

“The review of tiers on December 16 presents the perfect opportunity to move Staffordshire from Tier 3 to Tier 2. By doing so, Government would provide the desperately needed shot in the arm for hospitality and tourism in Staffordshire and the country as a whole.

“We would urge you to look into this as a matter of urgency, so that our businesses can recoup some of their losses.”